Adjustable reclining chair



9, 1955 J. L. MCKIBBAN ET AL 2,714,922

ADJUSTABLE RECLINING CHAIR Filed Oct. 17, 1952 United States Patent ADJUSTABLE RECLINING CHAIR Joseph L. McKibban and Charles J. Bowen, Philadelphia, Pa.

Application October 17, 1952, Serial No. 315,332 7 Claims. (Cl. 155-106) The present invention relates to adjustable reclining chairs and more particularly to chairs of this type comprising a seat member and back and leg-supporting members all of which members are adjustable by a single actuating means.

Prior to the present invention, chairs of this general type have been characterized by complex lever systems for providing the adjustment of the various body-supporting members. The levers of the prior systems commonly serve as primary supports for the body-supporting members, and consequently are subjected to stresses which are likely to bend or otherwise distort them under weight of the person resting on the chair. Furthermore, these prior systems require the application of considerable .force to efiect the adjustment, not only because of the possible distortion of the levers, but also because of the body weight resisting the adjustment. In addition, prior chairs of this character have been conventionally provided with independent adjusting mechanisms for each of the various body-supporting members, and as a result, proper adjustment of the chairs required several separate adjustments. Because of the separate adjustments, not only was manipulation of the chair tedious, but not infrequently after the chair was adjusted, the occupant found that the relative position of the support members was uncomfortable, and further adjustment was required to make the chair conform with a natural position of the body. In the same manner, the positions assumed by the separate supporting members, although comfortable, might not be healthful insofar as effecting complete muscular relaxation and prompting proper blood circulation.

With the foregoing in mind, one object of the invention .is to provide an adjustable chair wherein the adjusting mechanism is of comparatively simplified and inexpensive construction and is coordinated to adjust simultaneously each of the body-supporting members of the chair to predetermined relative positions which are both comfortable and healthful to the occupant.

A further object is to provide a chair wherein the weight of the occupant is supported substantially independently of the adjusting mechanism, so that this weight does not resist the adjustment of the body-supporting members.

These and other objects of the invention and the various features and details of the construction and operation thereof are more fully set forth hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a chair made in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of the chair of Fig. l in an upright position;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 with the chair in reclining position;

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken 44 of Fig. 2; and,

Fig. 5 is a schematic wiring diagram of an electrical circuit which may be employed in the operation of the chair.

on the line ice Referring now to the drawing, the 'chair illustrated comprises a frame 11, a seat member 12, a back-supporting member 13, and a leg-Supporting member 14. In the upright position of the chair, as seen in Fig. 2, the members 13 and 14 are generally vertical and adjusting means is provided as more fully described hereinafter to tilt the member 13 counterclockwise back and the member 14 counterclockwise up about the opposite ends of the seat member 12. The adjusting means also operates to raise the forward end of the seat member 12 to the reclining position illustrated in Fig. 3. In accordance with the invention, the chair is 'adapted to support the body in a natural, relaxed position, the feet being raised above the torso and the angles of the hip and knees affording healthful circulation of the blood through the body. Each 'of the members 11, 12, 13, and 14 is preferably constructed of a wooden body portion which is suitably padded and upholstered, for example, by foam rubber cushioning and simulated leather u'pholstery respectively.

In accordance with the invention, the frame '11 is enerally U-shaped in transverse cross section as shown in Fig. 4. The rectangular base has at its four corners suitable feet 21 and mounts near its forward edge a reversible motor 22. The vertical arms 23 of the "frame 11 constitute arm rests for the chair, and each arm is provided with an inwardly projecting trunnion 24 adjacent its rearward edge. The trunnions 24, 24 are in spaced axial alignment and 'mount the back-supporting member 13 for pivotal movement about. a horizontal axis intermediate the ends of the back-supporting member. The side edges of the back-supporting member are cut out adjacent the trunnions as indicated at 32 "to provide access for the seat member 12 as more fully described hereinafter.

Spaced forwardly of the trunnions 24 on each arm 23 is an angularly positioned track 25 comprising, in the present instance, a U-shaped channel bar 26 which positioned flush against the inner suiface of the arth'23. The inwardly projecting flanges 27 of the channel bar 26 define the track 25 which slopes forward and upward as clearly illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3.

The seat member 12 is provided with a generally r'ectangular body portion 33 and has downwardly depending side rails 34, 34 at the opposite side edges thereof. The rails project rearwardly beyond the body portion 33 into the cut-out portions 32 of the back member and are supported at the rear ends thereof for pivotal movement on the trunnions 24 as indicated at 35. In accordance with the invention the side rails are supported at theirforward ends by the track 25. To this end the lower surfaces of the seat side rails 34 are shaped to form c'am surfaces 40 as clearly illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3. Each cam surface 40 rides on a cam roller '41 which is mounted for free rotation on the forward end of a lever 42. The forward end of each lever is constrained to move in a predeter mined path by a second roller 43 mounted thereon which travels between the inwardly projecting flanges 27 "of the track 25. The rearward end of the lever 42 is pivotally connected to the lower edge portion of the back=suppbrt= ing member 13 for pivotal movement therewith. To afford this pivotal connection, the back-supporting member 13 is formed at its lower edge with depending ears 30, which are apertured to journal a transverse rod 31 extending substantially the full width between the arms 23, 23 and at its outer ends mounting the respective rearward ends of the levers 42 as indicated-at 44 in Fig. 4. Thus, as the member 13 is tilted back about the trunnions 24, the bar 31 is displaced forwardly to effect forward movement of the lever 42, and therefore upward angular movement of the seat member 12. The rear edge 36 of the body portion 33 of the seat member 12 is adapted to lie flush against the forward face of the back-supporting member 13, and the lower marginal portion of the upholstery of the back-supporting member 13 is tapered downwardly as indicated at 37 so that the rear edge portion 36 may lie flush against the upholstery of the back-supporting member 13 for all adjusted positions of the chair.

In accordance with the invention, the forward ends of the side rails 34 are provided with outwardly projecting pins 45 for pivotally supporting the leg-supporting member 14. The body portion 46 of the leg-supporting member 14 is provided at opposite side edges with end plates 47 which project upwardly beyond the upper edge of the body portion 46 and are apertured to engage the pins 45 for pivotal movement thereon. The upper edge 48 of the body portion 46 is adapted to lie flush against the forward edge 49 of the seat member 12. To this end the forward edge 49 is formed with a cylindrical bead coaxial with the pins 45. The edge 48 will, therefore, lie flush against the bead for all relative angular positions of the members 12 and 14. The end plates 4'7 also project inwardly beyond the under surface of the legsupporting member 14 and mount between them a transverse cross arm 52. Links 53, 53 are pivotally mounted at one end on the cross arm 52 and are mounted at the other end for pivotal movement on the bar 31 as indi cated at 54, 54. Thus, when the member 13 is tilted back, the forward displacement of the bar 31 will effect upward angular movement of the member 14 on the pins 45.

In the operation of the chair, rotation of the motor 22 effects selective forward and rearward displacement of the bar 31. To this end a screw shaft 55 is operatively connected to the motor 22 for rotation therewith by a universal joint 56. An internally threaded collar 57 is threaded on the shaft for relative longitudinal movement in response to rotation thereof, and this collar is formed with a vertical rib 58 which is mounted for pivotal movement on the bar 31.

In accordance with the invention, when the motor is rotated in one direction, for example, by depressing a down button 60 on the left side of the chair, the shaft 55 is threaded into the collar 57 to displace the latter member forwardly, for example, from the position shown in Fig. 2 towards the position shown in Fig. 3. The forward displacement of the collar 57 shifts the bar 31 a similar distance so as to pivot the back-supporting member 13 counterclockwise back about the trunnions 24. As the member 13 tilts back, the levers 42 will be urged forwardly in the tracks 25, and the rollers 41 will travel forward under cam surfaces 40 so as to raise the forward end of the seat 12 toward the position illustrated in Fig. 3. Simultaneously, with the afore-mentioned adjustments of the members 12 and 13, the links 53 will be displaced forwardly so as to rotate the member 14 counterclockwise on the pins 45 in the forward edge of the seat member 12. i

To prevent adjustment of all the members beyond the position shown in Fig. 3, a normally closed limit switch 61 is disposed in the track 25 adjacent its forward end. When the switch 61 is contacted by the roller 43 on the forward end of the lever 42, it will operate to prevent further rotation of the motor in the one direction, so as to stop adjustment of the members 12, 13, and 14.

The motor may be reversed to rotate in the other direction as for example by depressing the up button 62 which is located on the arm of the chair adjacent the down button 60. The reverse rotation of the motor effects reverse movement of the bar 31 and its associated mechanism. A normally closed limit switch 63 is disposed adjacent the lower end of the track 25, and is operable to preclude adjustment of the parts beyond the positions illustrated in Fig. 2.

Any suitable electrical circuit may be employed to control the motor 22 and Fig. is a schematic diagram showing one circuit which may be used. Referring to Fig. 5, it will be seen that the button 60 is in series with the limit switch 61 and will, when closed, operate to energize one field winding 64 of the reversible motor 22 to cause rotation thereof in the one direction. Likewise, the button 62 is in series with the limit switch 63 and when closed, will operate to energize the second field winding 65 of the reversible motor so as to effect rotation in the other direction. The adjustment may be stopped at any intermediate position by simply releasing the button. The members of the chair will then be locked in this position by the relatively fixed collar 57'. it is noted that the cam surfaces 44 are formed to provide proper relative positions of the members for comfortable and healthful support of the body for each intermediate adjustment of the chair.

The present invention provides a novel reclining chair wherein the weight of the body is supported substantially independently of the actuating mechanism. The weight of the body is supported primarily by the trunnions 24 and the track 25 through the medium of the rollers 43. The lever 42 serves only to prevent rearward displacement of the rollers 43 in the track so that the compressive force on the lever 42 is held to a minimum. The force required to adjust the chair from one position to another is likewise minimized not only because the support for the body weight is independent of the actuating mechanism, but also because of the advantageous arrangement of the elements. For example, the relative dimensions of the chair are such that the force exerted by the body on the back of the chair is transmitted through the bar 31 to contribute to the support of the lever 42 and the link 53, and substantially counterbalances the forces on the members 12 and 14. It will be seen, therefore, that the motor 22 for turning the screw shaft 55 may be of relatively low power, so as to afford a high degree of economy in the manufacture of the chair.

While a particular embodiment of the invention has been herein illustrated and described, it is not intended to limit the invention to such disclosure, and changes and modifications may be made therein and thereto within the scope of the following claims.

We claim:

1. A chair comprising a frame, a back-supporting member, trunnions on said frame mounting said member for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis, a leg-supporting member, a seat member interposed between said backsupporting member and leg-supporting member and having a cam surface on its underside extending longitudinally thereof in a direction forwardly and rearwardly of the chair, means mounting said seat member at its rearward end for pivotal movement on said trunnions, means at the forward end of said seat member pivotally mounting said leg-supporting member, a rod carried by said back-supporting member and extending transversely of the chair in parallel spaced relation to the pivotal axis of said member, a collar pivotally mounted on said rod and having an internally threaded sleeve portion, a screw shaft threaded in said sleeve portion, drive means for said screw shaft operable to selectively rotate the latter in opposite directions to thereby displace said collar along the longitudinal axis of said shaft, a roller operatively connected to said rod, a track on said frame mounting said roller for longitudinal displacement in a predetermined path therein coincident with displacement of said collar, said roller engaging said cam surface to pivot said seat member about the pivotal axis at its rearward end, and a link element pivotally connected to both said rod and said leg-supporting member and operable in response to displacement of said rod to effect pivotal movement of said leg-supporting member about its pivotal axis in the forward end of said seat member.

2. A chair comprising a frame, a back-supporting member, trunnions on said frame mounting said member for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis intermediate the ends of the latter, a leg-supporting member, a seat member interposed between said back-supporting memher and leg-supporting member and having a cam surface on its underside extending longitudinally thereof in a direction forwardly and rearwardly of the chair, means mounting said seat member at its rearward end for pivotal movement on said trunnions, means at the forward end of said seat member pivotally mounting said leg-supporting member, a rod carried by the lower edge portion .of said back-supporting member and extending transversely of the chair in parallel spaced relation to the pivotal axis of said member, a collar pivotally mounted on said rod and having an internally threaded sleeve portion, a screw shaft disposed longitudinally of the chair and threaded in said sleeve portion, a motor for said screw shaft operable to selectively rotate the latter in opposite directions to thereby displace said collar along the longitudinal axis of saidshaft, :a roller :opera'tively connected to said rod, a track on .said frame mounting said roller for longitudinal displacement lifl a predetermined path therein coincident with displacement of said collar, said roller engaging said .cam surface to pivot said seat member about the pivotal axis at its rearward end, and a link element pivotally connected to both said rod and said leg-supporting member and operable in response to displacement of said rod to effect pivotal movement of said leg-supporting member about its pivotal axis in the forwardend of said seat member.

3. A chair comprising a framea back-supporting member, trunnions on said frame mounting said member for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis intermediate the ends of the latter, a leg-supporting member, a seat member interposed between said back-supporting member and leg-supporting member and having a cam surface on its underside extending longitudinally thereof in a direction forwardly and rearwardly of the chair, means mounting said seat member at its rearward end for pivotal movement on said trunnions, means at the forward end of said seat member pivotally mounting said legsupporting member, a rod carried by the lower edge portion of said back-supporting member and extending transversely of the chair in parallel spaced relation to the pivotal axis of said member, a collar pivotally mounted on said rod and having an internally threaded sleeve portion, a screw shaft disposed longitudinally of the chair and threaded in said sleeve portion, motor for said screw shaft operable to selectively rotate the latter in opposite directions to thereby displace said collar along the longitudinal axis of said shaft, a roller operatively connected to said rod, 3. track on said frame mounting said roller for longitudinal displacement in a predetermined path therein in response to displacement of said rod, said roller engaging said cam surface to pivot said seat member about the pivotal axis at its rearward end coincident with the displacement of said rod, and a rigid link element connected to said rod and said leg-supporting member and operable in response to displacement of said rod to effect pivotal movement of said leg-supporting member about its pivotal axis in the forward end of said seat member.

4. A chair comprising a frame, a back-supporting member, trunnions on said frame mounting said member for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis intermediate the ends of the latter, a leg-supporting member, a seat member interposed between said back-supporting member and leg-supporting member and having a cam surface on its underside extending longitudinally thereof and tapered in a direction rearwardly of the chair, means mounting said seat member at its rearward end for pivotal movement on said trunnions, means at the forward end of said seat member pivotally mounting said leg-supporting member, a rod carried by the lower edge portion of said back-supporting member and extending transversely of the chair in parallel spaced relation to the pivotal axis of said member, a collar pivotally mounted on said rod and having an internally threaded sleeve portion, a screwsha'ft disposed longitudinally of the chair and threaded in said sleeve portion, an electric motor for said screw shaft, circuit means to energize said motorto rotate said screw shaft in one direction to thereby c'lisplace said collar forwardly along the longitudinal axis of said shaft, a second circuit means to energize said motor for rotation in the other direction to thereby displace said collar rearwardly along the longitudinal axis of said shaft, a roller operatively connected to said rod, a track on said frame mounting said roller for longitudinal displacement in a predetermined path therein in response to displacement of said rod, a limit switch at one end of said track engageable by said roller and operable to tie-energize said first circuit means, a second limit switch at the opposite end of said track engageable by said roller and operable to de-energize said second circuit means, said roller engaging said cam surface to pivot said seat member about the pivotal axis at its rearward end coincident with the displacement of said rod, and a rigid link element pivotally connectedat one end to said rod and at the other end to said leg-supporting member and operable in response to displacement of said rod to effect pivotal movement of said leg-supporting member about its pivotal axis in the forward end of said seat member.

5. A chair comprising a frame, a back-supporting member, trunnions on said frame mounting said member for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis intermediate the ends of the latter, a leg-supporting member, a seat member interposed between said back-supporting member and leg-supporting member and having a cam surface on its underside extending longitudinally thereof and tapered in a direction rearwardly of the chair, means mounting said seat member at its rearward end for pivotal movement on said trunnions, means at the forward end of said seat member pivotally mounting said leg-supporting member, a rod carried by the lower edge portion of said back-supporting member and extending transversely of the chair in parallel spaced relation to the pivotal axis of said member, a collar pivotally mounted on said rod and having an internally threaded sleeve portion, a screw shaft disposed longitudinally of the chair and threaded in said sleeve portion, drive means for said screw shaft operable to selectively rotate the latter in opposite directions to thereby displace said collar along the longitudinal axis of said shaft, a roller, a lever pivotally mounted on said rod at one end and rotatably mounting said roller at the other end, a track on said frame mounting said roller for longitudinal displacement in a predetermined path therein in response to displacement of said rod, said roller engaging said cam surface to pivot said seat member about the pivotal axis at its rearward end coincident with the displacement of said rod, and a rigid link element pivotally connected at one end to said rod and at the other end to said leg-supporting member and operable in response to displacement of said rod to effect pivotal movement of said leg-supporting member about its pivotal axis in the forward end of said seat member.

6. A chair comprising a frame, a back-supporting member, trunnions on said frame mounting said member for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis intermediate the ends of the latter, a leg-supporting member, a seat member interposed between said back-supporting member and leg-supporting member and having a cam surface on its underside extending longitudinally thereof and tapered in a direction rearwardly of the chair, means mounting said seat member at its rearward end for pivotal movement on said trunnions, means at the forward end of said seat member pivotally mounting said. leg-supporting member, a rod carried by the lower edge: portion of said back-supporting member and extending transversely of the chair in parallel spaced relation to the pivotal axis of said member, a collar pivotally mounted on said rod and having an internally threaded sleeve portion, a screw shaft disposed longitudinally of the chair and threaded in said sleeve portion, an electric motor for said screw shaft, a first circuit means to energize said motor to rotate said screw shaft in one direction to thereby displace said collar forwardly along the longitudinal axis of said shaft, a second circuit means to energize said motor for rotation in the other direction to thereby displace said collar rearwardly along the longitudinal axis of said shaft, a roller, a lever pivotally mounted on said rod at one end and rotatably mounting said roller at the other end, a track on said frame mounting said roller for longitudinal displacement in a predetermined path therein in response to displacement of said rod, a limit switch at one end of said track engageable by said roller and operable to de-energize said first circuit means, a second limit switch at the opposite end of said track engageable by said roller and operable to de-energize said second circuit means, said roller engaging said cam surface to pivot said seat member about the pivotal axis at its rearward end coincident with the displacement of said rod, and a rigid link element pivotally connected at one end to said rod and at the other end to said legsupporting member and operable in response to displace ment of said rod to effect pivotal movement of said leg-supporting member about its pivotal axis in the forward end of said seat member.

7. An adjustable chair comprising a back-supporting member, means mounting said member for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis, a seat member having a cam surface on its under side'extending longitudinally thereof in a direction forwardly and rearwardly of the chair, means mounting the rearward end of said seat member for pivotal movement about-said horizontal axis, mechanism for selectively moving said back-supporting member angularly in opposite directions about the horizontal pivotal axis thereof, a roller element engaging said cam surface, a track mounting said roller element for movement in a predetermined path, to pivot said seat member about the horizontal axis at the rearward end of said member, and a lever interconnecting said roller element with said back-supporting member to pivotally displace said seat member simultaneously with angular movement of said back-supporting member.

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